Best Bedtime Books for Cosy Family Reading
Written by Elen Fichou
Bedtime reading helps support children’s emotional wellbeing, language development and family bonding. It helps them relax and creates a comforting routine. That’s why it’s important to have great books with which you can have the best possible experience. They can have soft storylines and teach children valuable lessons while gently rocking them to sleep.
Can’t you sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell is the perfect way to end the day with a cosy atmosphere while teaching children about emotional wellbeing. Little Bear is scared of the dark and can’t sleep so Big Bear keeps bringing bigger and bigger lanterns until he eventually shows Little Bear that darkness is not so scary. This picture book will win you over with its soft drawings and heartwarming characters while teaching kids that the dark is not so scary.
While soft stories are a great way to soothe young minds, funny stories can also help them relax. 10 Minutes Till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann helps end the day on a positive note, with an amusing little story. After all, watching some hamsters go on a 10 minute bedtime tour, following a child as they get ready for bedtime, can get a good laugh in! Not only does this book help with learning how to count, it is also an entertaining story that gently encourages children to go to bed.
Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins is another special story which can help families bond and create fun memories. Bruce is a grumpy bear who wants to cook eggs but turns out that the eggs are goslings! When they hatch, they mistake Bruce as their mother and the bear has to learn to take care of four baby geese. This heartwarming story is perfect for bedtime, to get one last laugh in before sleeping and to shower the little ones with love, making sure they know how cherished they are.
Other than nonsense funny stories, melodies are also a hit with children before going to sleep. The rhymes in I am Cat, by Peter Bently, encourage you to sing a little song before bedtime, creating one last delightful and bonding moment before bed. In this book, you can discover all that Cat does in a day, from waking up Human to eat, to taking a big nap. And after such an eventful day, full of meeting new animals, it is time to close your eyes…
Speaking of melodies, Sleepytime, My Little Squirrel by Halyna Budilova is a cosy bilingual book of lullabies created to help children gently unwind after a busy day. Filled with calming melodies, soothing bedtime stories and tender illustrations of sleepy little animals, the book creates a peaceful atmosphere perfect for bedtime reading. Thanks to its bilingual format, it also encourages parents and guardians to sing in their own language, making the experience even more personal, familiar and emotionally warm for children.
Reading books before bed can create a nice and cozy atmosphere, in which both adults and children can relax. It soothes everyone’s minds and helps create a peaceful and comforting moment. This bonding time will create long lasting memories with your family, full of laughter, hugs and kisses.
